THE MACHAME ROUTE – OVERVIEW
Machame route known as the Whisky Route, this is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain and offers adventurous climbers stunning scenic outlooks. With paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to late sunsets at Shira Plateau to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be done over longer periods and the incline is more manageable it has a much higher success rate of summit.
DAY 0: ARRIVAL KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Thanks for Choosing Alpine chat adventure a local tour company in Tanzania feel at home and enjoy your Africa adventure with us, upon arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met with Alpine chat adventure representative and transferred for overnight accommodation at Chanya Lodge B&B. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Duration: 6 or 7 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High
DAY 1: MACHAME GATE - MACHAME CAMP
Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs. | Rainforest
Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
Altitude gained: 1210m
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA CAMP
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.
5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland
Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft
Altitude gained: 818m
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.
10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi Desert
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 147m
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
3.3km /2 mi | 5-6hrs | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | - MWEKA CAMP
The most challenging part of the trek begins between midnight and 2 a.m., as you make your way towards the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Moving in a switchback pattern, you ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point, where you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. After a short rest, the final 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak begins, likely encountering snow. Upon reaching the peak, you celebrate reaching the highest point in Africa. The descent to Mweka Camp follows, with a brief stop at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended for the steep, loose terrain. Afterward, you enjoy a well-deserved rest at Mweka Camp.
13km /8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m
DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE – MOSHI
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Overnight stay at Chanya lodge B&B in Moshi
9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m
DAY 0: DEPARTURE
Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight back home.
9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m
INCLUDED
- Park fees
- English-speaking Guide
- Luxurious Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 Safari vehicle
- All accomodations
- Airport pickup and transfer
- Pair of Binoculars
EXCLUDED
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania entry visa
Low Season (April 1st – May 19th)
| Type of Accommodation | 2 persons | 4 persons | 6+ persons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SILVER | $3,048.00 USD* | $2,469.00 USD* | $2,275.00 USD* |
| GOLD | $3,615.00 USD* | $3,006.00 USD* | $2,803.00 USD* |
| PLATINUM | $4,300.00 USD* | $3,701.00 USD* | $3,501.00 USD* |
* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets
Mid Season (The Rest of the Year)
| Type of Accommodation | 2 persons | 4 persons | 6+ persons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SILVER | $3,245.00 USD* | $2,599.00 USD* | $2,384.00 USD* |
| GOLD | $3,971.00 USD* | $3,294.00 USD* | $3,069.00 USD* |
| PLATINUM | $4,699.00 USD* | $4,033.00 USD* | $3,811.00 USD* |
* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets
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